Core Group Form and Process

Core Group Form and Process

This Document

This governing document defines the form and process of the Core Group. The composition and structure of the Core Group may be very different from what we – the Initiating Group* – might envision. However, the form the Core Group chooses must be in keeping with the spirit of the Charter and the Transition process.

We expect this document to be heavily revised after the Core Group has formed.

Mission

The mission of the Core Group will differ, possibly quite radically, from those of the Initiating and Steering Group, since it will exist as long as Transition Port Angeles.

The Core Group will serve to provide broad support for the Working Groups. So, if the Working Groups* are the gardeners, the Core Group is like the Grange, where gardeners, farmers and similarly interested people go to talk, share experiences, and learn new ideas

The Core Group will serve fundamentally as a broad body of support for the Working Groups. To use a gardening analogy, the Working Groups are the gardeners, whilst the Core Group is where the gardeners go to talk to each other, share experiences, and learn new ideas.

In essence, the Core Group’s natural role is to serve as a clearing house for information and a common table for the Working Groups to keep in touch with each other. Representatives from Working Groups will pool the experiences and excitement of their respective groups, and in so doing provide other representatives with valuable insight and renewed energy. How this will be done exactly is left up to the Core Group.

The Core Group’s natural function is serving as an information clearinghouse and a common gathering place for the Working Groups to keep in touch with each other and keep track of one another’s projects and ideas. Representatives sharing the experiences and excitement of their respective Working Groups will provide valuable insight and renewed energy for other Groups in ways guided or outlined by the Core Group.

The Core Group is entrusted with maintaining the good name of Transition Port Angeles, and ensuring the entire Initiative is in keeping with the spirit of the Charter and the Transition model. However, the Core Group should not have an administrative function, in keeping with the principle of subsidiarity.

Eligibility

Working Groups are trusted to make the best possible choice of a representative. Their chosen representatives automatically join the Core Group.

Members of the former Initiating Group are explicitly prohibited from becoming Working Group representatives for one year after they step down from their original roles. This is done to ensure that the Initiative comes into its own, and prevent attempts to establish entrenched leadership.

Sudden turnovers of large numbers of representatives seriously strain positive group dynamics and mutual trust. How best to avoid this is up to the Core Group and constituent Working Groups.

Affirmation of this Document

In the spirit of the future we wish to facilitate, we affirm our whole-hearted support of this constituent governing document of the Charter of Transition Port Angeles by our signatures: